Abstract: A pneumatically actuatable linear drive for automatic spot welding machines includes a cylinder, a piston rod with segments and pistons and an intermediate bottom between the pistons for dividing the cylinder into pressure chambers. An axial conduit in the segments has a check valve. Radial conduits communicate between the axial conduit and the pressure chambers. Air line connections and a throttle valve lead into the pressure chambers. One piston on one segment moves toward and away from the closed end into end and terminal positions for closing and opening the radial conduits. The end and terminal positions of the one piston are determined by a cap screw of the check valve having an axially parallel conduit and by a spring on one of the segments. A connecting conduit contains the throttle valve. The intermediate bottom has a peripheral annular conduit communicating with one of the air line connections and through the connecting conduit with one of the pressure chambers.